China, Russia urge against military action in Venezuela

The Chinese and Russian foreign ministers voiced their opposition to military action in Venezuela on Wednesday, as President Nicolas Maduro faces increasing pressure from the United States to step down.

Russia and China, which have had close relations with Maduro over the years, have repeatedly warned against any foreign interference in Venezuela, while Washington has backed the opposition leader.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov repeated Moscow's assertion that the United States was using aid deliveries as a pretext to carry out military action in Venezuela.

"We are working together with all the countries that are no less than us concerned by the scenario of a military interference," Lavrov at a previously planned meeting with his Indian and Chinese counterparts in the Chinese city of Wuzhen.

"I believe the US should listen to what the countries in the region think," he added.

The United States is among some 50 countries that recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president, while Maduro still enjoys the diplomatic support of Russia and China.

US President Donald Trump has said that Washington is not ruling out armed action, while US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said he was confident that "Maduro's days are numbered."